Service dog for PTSD. Anyone with experience?

My therapist has suggested that I get a service dog to help deal with my PTSD and the triggers that come with me going out in public.

I have a dog. He's half mini ausie and half boxer. He's two. Apparently I can either send him in for training or I can get a dog that the training company has.

I've never considered this before. I don't know what all it entails or anything like that. Or how much money it costs or if it would be that big of a help.

Just looking to see if anyone here has experience with service animals. Any information is appreciated!

I like the idea of getting your dog trained.

With a badge that says he is a "Service Dog."

My dog is a volunteer service dog in that we go for a walk everyday. If it wasn't for my dog, I don't go for a walk ever, probably, because I don't have the self-confidence to go out there walking on the street by myself. I know, it's that bad.

But with a dog, I can say, "Oh, yeah, I'm out here walking my dog" and it gives me more confidence than walking by myself.

So going into stores, or such, it could work the same way. You've got somebody with you.

When I walk like that, it's like to dog is my alter-ego. Since my ego is so reduced, I need an alter-ego. I meet people like that. Meet people in my neighborhood, who sometimes later become friends, who later sometimes help me. And it all started with walking the dog.

Sometime, they don't help me, but I just get to meet the people in my neighborhood like that, and they generally all wave and stuff like that.

And, from seeing the streets in my neighborhood, I expand my interests such as picking up tree limbs and putting them in a pile for the city to pick up, and picking up trash and stuffing it in my pocket.

All because of the dog, every person on my street knows me.

So, I would be in favor of you getting your dog trained as a service dog. I know it could have problems. My Beagle would like, wander off in a store or something, and there would be problems, fine.

But in such a case, I might only stay out in the lobby of a complex or stores, where my dog could wander around on the leash, or go into uncrowded stores where there might not be as much problems.

But the entire time, the master would be out there among people, and the dog could deal with that.

Might look on the net, "service dogs for emotional problems" or something like that.

I know, this could be kind of a tricky situation because we never know how this is going to work out.

I'll try to look on the net myself for that and see if I can find any such websites.

At times, I have guts, but I don't know if I would have the guts for that or not.

Any chance you could walk in stores, etc., with someone else a time or two, then maybe walk by yourself into a few stores, and then meet back with your friend?

To get you accumulated to walking around a few stores, again, first with someone else. The maybe try for a few minutes by yourself, knowing you can go back to your friend at any time.

And keep that going for a few weeks or more to get you use to that.

Maybe walking with your friend in your neighborhood to start.

MW,

I hope you can come to the best decision for you and your dog/dogs (?)

I am excited that you have this opportunity!

Will you keep us updated whichever decision you make?

Hugs and high fives!

S.C.

I hope he can do it too...you never know...he could really rise to the challenge! 😊❤

I have a friend whose husband is a policemam and he had a similar dilemma. They have two American Bulldogs who are their babies. His department really wanted him on the Canine force, but he feared what effect that would have on his own dogs...b/c a policeman and his partner have to bond so deeply.

I am sending good wishes and prayers that your doggy can complete the sevice training...I bet he can!

...but even if you do get another...giving extra love to your first guy...and making sure he is included in every possible activity will make sure he stays happy...you'll be able to work it out.😊

S.C.